1
as in mock
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the feigned applause that polite people give after a bad concert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the feigned looks of innocence I got when I asked who had broken the lamp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pretended
to present a false appearance of
I would never feign illness just to get out of a test
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of feigned
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Cruising through the rollout without addressing much controversy challenges XOXO’s feigned edginess.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 June 2024
Such attacks belie the Taliban’s feigned moderation and point to the danger of sending select types of foreign assistance to Afghanistan that could end up in the control of the network.
—Melissa Skorka, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2022
Hall is tasked with delivering gouts of exposition and staring in feigned wonderment at screensaver-resembling new regions of the center of the Earth.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feigned 
Adjective
As the knife drew closer, Jennings, whose back was to the camera, turned around and leapt back in feigned terror.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Cruising through the rollout without addressing much controversy challenges XOXO’s feigned edginess.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 June 2024
Such attacks belie the Taliban’s feigned moderation and point to the danger of sending select types of foreign assistance to Afghanistan that could end up in the control of the network.
—Melissa Skorka, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2022
Hall is tasked with delivering gouts of exposition and staring in feigned wonderment at screensaver-resembling new regions of the center of the Earth.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feigned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feigned
Adjective
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The response was made all the more pronounced by Lively’s mock shock look at her husband.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
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Thomas leapt out of his judges’ chair and mock knelt in front of Carter.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Here are the best fake car ads and parodies celebrating SNL's 50th anniversary.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Yet criminals are impersonating the IRS to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information by texting them fake alerts of their eligibility for extra money, warns the Better Business Bureau.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Seemingly as a gag to portray a darker Buddy, Ferrell held what appeared to be an unlit cigarette in his mouth and pretended to smoke it.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
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Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su), a dying old man who pretended to be Gi-hun’s ally in the game.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The consequences are often deeply personal: sleepless nights, strained relationships and a constant sense of unease about who’s watching.—
Chad Angle,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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The Sea Lions should get deeper before the playoffs with the return of 6-8 senior forward Wynton Brown, who has missed most of the past two weeks with a strained elbow ligament.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tunes that reference country roads and chugging double shots of whiskey sit alongside the duo’s trademark message of fostering hope and connection.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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Having a secondary creator next to him is a welcome development for Curry, who has faced constant double and triple teams this season at age 36 as teammates invite his other four teammates on the floor to beat them.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the other end, Gibbs began to slither his way into open space, and the Lions assumed full control.—
Alec Lewis,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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As an incentive for the teams to stick around, the city assumed ownership of the land but agreed to give it back to the teams at the expiration of a ground lease in 2023, according to documents reviewed by The Post.—
Bennett Durando,
The Denver Post,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Once false lashes are set, apply kohl eyeliner to line your upper waterline and a few more swipes of mascara to the inner corner for an extra pop.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
11 Feb. 2025
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In the Burrow case, the suspects allegedly carried bogus ID cards purportedly from Argentina and other countries, and bearing false names, according to the affidavit.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
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While lip reading is commonly used as a way for those with hearing disabilities to understand speech and conversations, it’s also called upon for legal matters and police investigations.—
Emily Holgate,
refinery29.com,
19 Jan. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near feigned
Cite this Entry
“Feigned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feigned. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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